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Wednesday, August 25, 2021

thechronicleonline.com

Serving Columbia County since 1881

“We the People’ protesting mandates JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Sheriff Brian Pixley

‘People of Columbia County want our county back,’ Sheriff says JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Columbia County Sheriff Brian Pixley has posted a letter to Gov. Kate Brown on the Columbia County Sheriff’s Facebook page stating he will not enforce the state’s latest COVID-19 health and safety requirements. Pixley also chargers that Brown’s latest pandemic related mandates are unconstitutional. The following is Pixley’s letter to Gov. Brown. “I write to you today on behalf of the citizens of Columbia County in hopes of opening a dialogue. As Sheriff, it is my responsibility to provide for the peace and safety of those in Columbia County. I believe it is in the best interest of Columbia County, and all other counties throughout Oregon, to retain local control over decisions affecting the public health and safety and to protect the individual choice of those we represent.

I, and other elected leaders in Columbia County, have the right to do what is in the best interest for our community. Let us do so. ~ Brian Pixley, Columbia County Sheriff

“The people of Columbia County want our county back. The citizens have endured “two weeks to flatten the curve,” unemployment and the loss of several of our small businesses over the last year and a half and we have had enough!” “You have once again initiated what many consider to be an unconstitutional mandate by requiring our children and citizens to wear masks and by requiring vaccinations for state employees, healthcare workers and teaching staff. We have had enough of your overreaching mandates and bullying threats. In short, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office will not be enforcing vaccination requirements or mask mandates. “The citizens of Columbia County will choose to wear a mask or chose not to wear a mask. We will choose to get vaccinated or choose not to get ­­­­ See PIXLEY Page A5 Opinion ..................... A4 Cartoon ..................... A4 Obituaries ................. A6 TV Guide ................... A7 Classified Ads ......... A8 Legals .................. A8-10 Crossword .............. A10 Police Report ......... A11

Locals not happy with the pandemic related health and safety mandates are speaking up. Wednesday, Aug. 25, at 10 a.m. the Columbia County Board of Commissioners are expected to meet in regular session and could hear from citizens concerned about the latest pandemic health and safety requirements. A Facebook event post, said to be hosted by Tiffany Galloway and Sarah Heppner, is encouraging such participation. “Have concerns about the state’s mandates? Tired of the endless lockdowns and requirements to participate in society? Join us at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, August 25 for the County Commissioners weekly meeting and let’s tell them We The People know whats best for our families, our businesses and our community. Signs are welcome, just keep them clean as children will be present,” the Facebook post reads. The Chronicle’s questions As Columbia County navigates through the latest COVID-19 case surge and state health and safety requirements, The Chronicle is monitoring how local and county governments are working in the best interests of our community. We have mailed the following questions to the Columbia County Board of Commissioners, Margaret Magruder, Henry Heimuller and Casey Garrett. -First, what is your message to Columbia County residents and business operators who may be

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chronicle

The Columbia County Board of Commissioners are scheduled to meet virtually at the Columbia County Courthouse at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 25.

frustrated, worried, concerned, and uneasy about the current mandates and what the pandemic may bring next? -What would you have those who are concerned about the mandates do to help them navigate through the pandemic? -What specifically has the Columbia County Board of Commissioners done and will do in the days and weeks ahead to help guide our communities as we all attempt to move ahead through the uncertainties of the pandemic?

The following is the response to The Chronicle’s questions, sent to us by Columbia County Public Information Officer Mark Pacheco. “The Governor’s decision to enact another state-wide mask mandate has created a stressful situation for all of us in Columbia County. The order to wear masks in indoor public places was issued at the state level, bypassing the authority of the county’s elected officials to determine what is best for our community. “The Governor has appointed

OSHA to be the enforcement arm for the mask mandate, imposing fines of up to $500 per day per occurrence. County agencies and employees have been instructed to complying with the directives of the mandate while we continue to work with the Governor and her staff on behalf of the residents of Columbia County. “The county has recently experienced a spike in the number of ­­­­ See PROTEST Page A6

K12 school staff, health care workers must be vaccinated SNAP to see largest, permanent benefit increase JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

This fall, individuals and families in Columbia County, across Oregon and the nation who depend on food stamp assistance will see what the Biden Administration calls a significant and permanent increase in benefits. It is reportedly the largest single increase in the food stamp system’s history, which now operates as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Impact in Oregon

“With over 845 Oregonians hospitalized from COVID-19

Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) Press Secretary Jake Sunderland said The Biden Administration made the announcement Monday, Aug. 16, and his department is still analyzing the changes and what they will mean to SNAP in Oregon. “According to federal government, this change will increase SNAP benefits distributed in Oregon by $337 million,” Sunderland said. “For SNAP households this change on average will be about $36 more in money to buy food per person – or about $1.20 per day.” The change in benefits takes effect Oct. 1. Currently, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most SNAP households are temporarily receiving the maximum benefit amount for their

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Metro Creative Connection / The Chronicle

Gov. Brown and state and local health officials continue to stress that the best way to stop the current pandemic surge is for those who are not vaccinated, to get vaccinated. JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Gov. Kate Brown has announced two new vaccination measures to address Oregon’s hospital crisis, caused by the Delta variant surge. Brown said the measures will help keep Oregon students safe in the upcoming school year and minimize disruptions to in-person instruction. • Oregon’s vaccination requirement for health care workers will no longer have a testing alterna-

tive. Health care workers will be required to be fully vaccinated by October 18 or six weeks after full FDA approval, whichever is later. • All teachers, educators, support staff, and volunteers in K-12 schools will be required to be fully vaccinated by October 18 or six weeks after full FDA approval, whichever is later. “Our kids need to be in the classroom full time, five days a week,” Brown said.” “We have to do everything we can to make that happen. COVID-19 poses a threat

to our kids. Our kids need to be protected and they need to be in school. That’s why I am willing to take the heat for this decision.” Brown made the announcement during a Thursday, Aug. 19 media briefing. By the numbers

See MANDATE Page A2

Vol. 139, No. 34

ColumbiaCountyOR.Gov/Vaccine | 503-397-7247

See SNAP Page A3


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